Creating a RAID 5 array with a single drive's data

[justinviera]

Hello,

I will be creating a new server for a local business that will include a RAID 5 array. Currently they have a server with a RAID 1 array. How would I go about transferring the data from a single drive onto a RAID 5 array so I dont lose any data? Any help is MUCH appreciated!

 

[stduc]

Do you mean just data? Or is this a bootable RAID 1 array?

Is this one machine? Or are you building a new machine with the RAID 5?

Are the RAID 1 disks the same size as the planned RAID 5 disks?

If you are building a new RAID 5 and the disks are all the same size (i.e. the original RAID1 and the new RAID 5 disks) then you can take one of the RAID 1 disks and use it in the RAID 5. You should have a manufacturers utility, possibily built into the RAID BIOS, to build the RAID 5 from one of the disks at boot time. You even have the luxury of being able to screw up, because if you fail and wipe the original RAID 1 disk - you can put it back into the RAID 1 setup with its mate and re-build the mirror!

Have fun!! Let us know how you get on.